Fee to enter Sharm

[smurfchops]

I went to Sharm el Sheik a couple of years ago with hubbie, and was told beforehand by a friend who had been in the past, that at the airport, if we were not going out of Sinai (to the Pyramids, Valley of Kings etc) and were staying local, we did not have to pay some kind of entry fee of approximately �15 each, which was true. Can anyone verify this in writing ? Every time I write to the Consulate or Egyptian Tourist Office they send me a standard email about Visas, which is not my question. If I don't have to pay, where can I get this in writing ?? My daughter is going in a couple of months and wants proof in writing so there is no hassle at the airport. Obviously the staff at the airport think no-one knows you don't have to pay the fee if you are staying in Sinai, and when they realise you do know, they let you off. Thanks all x

[JonnoGenie]

This is an issue that usually generates a lot of conflicting answers!

I'll try and keep the answer simple. If you are simply going to Sharm, you can visit without getting a visa. Either from the UK embassy, or by paying for one on arrival (GBP10 or US$15, last time I visited last year). It is free of charge.

On the back of your arrivals card, writes 'Sinai Coast only", and proceed directly to immigration, without queuing with the throng at the bank windows to buy a visa.

You will be given an entry stamp marked (I am transcribing from my passport) 'Valid for Aqaba Coast & St. Catherine for 14 Days'.

This allows you to stay in or travel between Sharm, Dahab, St. Katherines, Nuweiba and right up the coast to Taba on the Israeli border. However, this mode of entry prohibits you from visiting the Ras Mohammed National Park just to the south of Sharm, on the very southern tip of the Sinai peninsular, and one of top-10 dive sites in the world.

Historically most visitors to Sharm have been divers, and so as near as matters everyone has got a visa (from the UK, or on arrival) on entry, so they can dive at 'Ras Mo'. It has reached a point where the concensus amongst visitors has been that you have to have a visa to enter Sharm.

[JonnoGenie]

contd...

On one occasion I entered Sharm on a non-dive trip, without a visa (as described ...'Sinai Coast only' on my arrivals card), and was told by immigration to go and buy a visa. I suppose to them their assumption is you have simply made a mistake, because few people visit without wanting to dive at Ras Mo (or visit it by tour bus). On this occasion I just pointed to what I had written on my arirvals card and repeated 'Sinai Coast' only, and got my free entry stamp. I remember even the local Egyptian tour rep on this holiday point blank denied that entry was possible without a visa... until I showed him my passport!

Now that the Sinai coast is being promoted for year round sun, as opposed to just for diving, I would expect a lot higher proportion of people entering without need for a visa. So hopefully it won't be given a second throught at immigration these days. But as you can see from the above, the 'accepted facts' on getting a visa have been unclear for quite a while, and I expect this will continue for some time to come.

To your question, where to find this in writing. I don't recall seeing anything from the authorities on it. The best overview I recall seeing is on the Red Sea College website ...
http://www.redseacollege.com/english/sinai_gui de/tips1.htm

p.s. Note I am not suggesting RSC for diving, just this visa info...

[smurfchops]

Jonno thanks very much, I have also had confirmation from the Tourist Board and yes, it was a Visa, and now I have confirmation in writing that my daughter doesn't need it ... this may help other people going to Sharm, as "not a lot of people know that" ... Thanks again.